Device for intrauterine use



Jan. 23, 1953 R. R. ROBiNSON DEVICE FOR INTRAUI'ERINE USE Filed Aug. 12,1966 INVENTOR R. Robinson United States Patent 3,364,927 DEViCE FORIN'IRAUTERINE USE Ralph R. Robinson, 2024 /2 Cumberland Ave.,

Middlesboro, Ky. 40965 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.489,693,

Sept. 23, 1965. This application Aug. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 572,079

6 Claims. (Cl. 128130) This is a continuation-impart of my copendingapplication Ser. No. 489,693, filed September 23, 1965, now Patent No.3,291,125 and entitled Pessary.

This invention relates to the field of intrauterine contraceptives,having as its primary object the provision of a device which cannot beexpelled from the uterus by uterine contractions and which is free fromirritation and discomfort factors.

It is one of the most important objects of the instant invention toprovide a device for intrauterine use having substantial surface areasfor uterus wall-engaging purposes strategically disposed for maximumeffectiveness during contraction of the uterus in an effort to make surethat the expulsion of the device from the uterus during suchcontractions is fully impeded.

As a corollary to the foregoing object, the present invention provides adevice having a pliable, yet resilient U-shaped loop extendingtransversely across the ervical mouth of the uterus and complementallyengaging the Walls of the latter to the end that, as uterinecontractions occur, the loop will be flexed inwardly and presentadditional surface area for engagement by the uterine walls.

A very important object of the present invention is to provide a devicein the nature of that disclosed in my Patent No. 3,234,938, issuedFebruary 15, 1966, and entitled Intra-Uterine U Stem Pessary, with theaddition in the instant invention of a properly formed resilientU-shaped loop cooperating with novel fallopian tube engaging elements toprovide additional zones of contact between the device and the uteruswalls uniquely disposed to fulfill the aforesaid objects of comfort andnonexpulsion.

An extremely important aim of my instant invention is the provision ofstructure presenting fulcrums for the arms of the U-shaped loop to actupon, whereby inward movement of the lower portions of the arms causedby a uterine contraction results in an outwardly directed urging of thefallopian tube-engaging elements into the fallopian tubes.

Yet another important aim of the invention is to provide a bridgeinterconnecting the arms of the U-shaped loop above the bight thereof tothe end that the arms are yieldably maintained in spaced-apartrelationship during uterine contractions for maximum uterine wallcontact and each end of the element presents a fulcrum for a respectivearm to act on while supporting the other end against lateral movement.

Another object of my present invention is the provision of a devicewherein said bridge is V-shaped to permit collapsing of the deviceduring insertion of the same through the cervix.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a device for intrauterine usewhich embodies the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional, detail view taken along line 55of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 on reduced scale illustrating thedevice while being contracted within the uterus.

Device 10 is constructed of a resilient, yet pliable material such asplastic and is designed for insertion into the uterus 12 by tubularmeans as described in my above referenced patent. The uterine cavity 13is defined by uterine walls 14, 16 and 18. Fallopian tubes 20 and 22communicate with the cavity 13 and each tube 20 and 22 presents a mouth24 and 26, respectively, at the zone of communication. The cervix 28likewise comunicates with the cavity 13, and a uterus mouth 30 ispresented therebetween.

Device 10 comprises a generally U-shaped loop 32 having a bight 34 fordisposition across the cervix and a pair of arms 36 and 38 extendingupwardly from the bight 34. Arm 36 has an upper head 41} thereon fordisposition in mouth 26 of tube 22 and arm 38 has a similar upper head42 thereon for dis position in mouth 24 of tube 20. A portion 44 of arm36 and a similar portion 46 of arm 38 are bulged outwardly and disposedto extend upwardly from bight 34 for engagement with the uterus i12 atrespective Zones of engagement 48 and 50 on walls i4 and 16. As can beseen viewing FIG. 6, portions 44 and 46 are disposed for actuationinwardly by zones 48 and 50 of the uterous 12 during contraction of theuterine muscles.

Arm 36 has an inwardly bowed length 52 disposed between portion 44 andhead 40, and an outwardly bowed stretch 54 disposed between length 52and head 40. Similarly, arm 38 has an inwardly bowed length 56 disposedbetween portion 46 and head 42, and an outwardly bowed stretch 58located between length 56 and head 42. Portion 44, length 52, stretch54, and head 40 are configured to be substantially mirror images of thecorresponding portion 46, length 56, stretch 58, and head 42 of arm 38,presenting a generally symmerical overall appearance. Each of the heads40 and 42 respectively, complementally conform in size and configurationto a corresponding mouth 26 or 24.

An elongated bridge 64, generally V-shaped in configuration, extendsbetween an area of interconnection 66 on the uppermost section 68 oflength '56, and a corresponding area of interconnection 70 on theuppermost section 72 of length 52. Bridge 64 has a pair of legs 74 and avertex 76 disposed between legs 74 and directed downwardly therefrom.Opposite ends78 and 80 of bridge 64 are integral with correspondinguppermost sections 68 and 72 at areas of interconnection 66 and 70 andpresent fulcrums 82 whereby the heads 40 and 42 are pressed outwardlyinto engagement with the uterus 12 in mouths 24 and 26 as a muscularcontraction acts inwardly on portions 44 and 46. Each leg 74 is disposedwith respect to a corresponding length 52 or 56 to present an acuteangle therebetween.

It is to be noted that bridge 64 is disposed to yieldably maintain arms36 and 38 in spaced relationship during the inward actuation of portions44 and 46 caused by a uterine contraction. Thus, portions 44 and 46 aremaintained in contact with a corresponding uterine wall 14 or 16 alongsubstantially the entire length of the portion as can be seen in FIG. 6.Bridge 64 and lengths 56 and 52 have a smaller transverse,cross-sectional area than the remainder of the device, permitting thelatter to flex readily and be maintained in intimate contact with thewalls 14, 16 and 18 of uterus 12.

Device 10 has centering means com-prising a stem 84 integral with loop32 and depending from bight 34; a tail 86 depends from stem 84. Afterdevice 10 is inserted into uterus 12, as illustrated in FIG. 6, stem 84is disposed to extend through the mouth 30 of uterus 12 and into thecervix 28, while tail 86 extends through cervix 28 and out into thevagina (not shown). Viewing FIGS. 2, 3 and 4,

it can be seen that the various components of device are substantiallycoplanar. This configuration'is preferred because the uterine cavity 13is substantially laterally thin.

uterus walls 14 and 16 move toward one another and por-.

tions 44 and 46 being flexible, will be pushed inwardly. This action hastwo results, firstly, additional surface area along portions 44 and 46will come into engagement with walls 14 and 16, and secondly, fulcrums82 will act on arms 36 and 38 to cause heads 40 and 42 to be urgedlaterally outwardly and into months 24 and 26. As uterine contractionsincrease in inensity, outwardly bowed stretches 54 and 58 will come intocontact with walls 14 and 16 for additional resistanceto expulsion.Thus, the possibilities of expelling device 10 are minimized duringcontraction of uterus 12.

Device 10 is designed to permit insertion thereof into cavity 13 by aninsertion device as disclosed in my above referenced patent. In thisrespect, it is to be noted that the downwardly directed vertex 76, andthe acute angle between legs 74 and lengths 52 and 56, permit device 10to be collapsed into a substantially straight line configuration duringinsertion of the same through the cervix 28.

Irritation and discomfort factors have been reduced, if not eliminated,because device 10 grasps walls 14, 16 and 18 firmly during contraction,but relaxes at other times. Moreover, large areas of uterine wallcontact are provided as distinguished from line, edge, or point contactfound in prior art devices. Additionally, all surfaces are smooth,arcuate and uniform, avoiding sharp and angular irritation-producingareas, protuberances, corners or the like.

It is to be particularly noted that device 10 operates to cause heads 40and 42 to be pushed into fallopian tube mouths 26 and 24 respectivelyduring uterine contractions acting inwardly at zones of maximum muscularactivity 48 and 50 on portions 44 and 46. This movement of heads 40 and42 is caused by the strategic placement of bridge 64 and the fulcrumpoints 82 provided thereby. Device 10 is maintained firmly in place inuterus 12 by the placement of heads 40 and 42 within mouths 26 and 24;Manifestly, any tendency of the uterus 12 acting at mouths 26 and 24 tourge heads 40 and 42 toward one another is resisted, uterine walls 14and 16 acting inwardly on portions 44 and 46 at zones 48 and 50. Thus,it can be seen that the device 10 becomes more firmly locked withinuterus 12 as the intensity of muscular contractions increases.Furthermore, the novel construction of device 141 permits such firmlocking to occur without causing the walls of the uterus to beirritated.

Having thus described the invention, 1 what is' claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for intrauterine use comprising:

a generally U-shaped loop having a bight for disposition across thecervix and a pair of arms extending upwardly from the bight,

each arm having a head for disposition in the mouth of a correspondingfallopian tube,

there being an outwardly bulged portion in each arm respectivelyadjacent said bight disposed for engagement with the uterus and foractuation inwardly by the latter at the zones of engagement-therebetweenduring contraction of the uterine muscles; and

an elongated bridge of flexible material interconnecting said arms abovesaid portions and yieldably maintaining the arms in spaced relationshipduring said muscular contraction,

each end of said bridge presenting a fulcrum at the area ofinterconnection with a respective arm, whereby said heads are pressedoutwardly into engagement with the uterus in said mouths and theportions are maintained'against said zones as said muscular contractionscontinue to act inwardly on said portions,

thereby impeding expulsion of the device from within the uterus, saidbridge being generally V-shaped and having a pair of legs and a vertexwhereby said device is collapsible to permit insertion through thecervix.

2. The invention of claim 1, said vertex being downwardly directed.

3. The invention of claim 2, each arm having an inwardly bowed lengthbetween its portion and its head, said area of interconnection beingdisposed on the uppermost section of the length, whereby said legs andsaid lengths present an acute angle therebetween.

4. The invention of claim 3, each arm having an outwardly bowed stretchbetween its length and its head disposed for movement against the uterusas the heads move into said mouths for further impediment of said deviceagainst expulsion from Within the uterus.

5. The invention of claim 4, each head complementally conforming in sizeand in configuration to said mouths and serving, therefore, tofurther'irnpede said'device from expulsion when the'heads are pressedinto the months.

6. The invention of claim 3, said bridge and said lengths being smallerin transverse cross-sectional area than the remainder of said device.

3,291,125 12/1966 Robinson 128-130 ADELE M. EAGER, Primary Examiner.

2/1966 Robinson 128-130

1. A DEVICE FOR INTRAUTERINE USE COMPRISING: A GENERALLY U-SHAPED LOOPHAVING A BIGHT FOR DISPOSITION ACROSS THE CERVIX AND A PAIR OF ARMSEXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE BIGHT, EACH ARM HAVING A HEAD FORDISPOSITION IN THE MOUTH OF A CORRESPONDING FALLOPIAN TUBE, THERE BEINGAN OUTWARDLY BULGED PORTION IN EACH ARM RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT SAID BIGHTDISPOSED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UTERUS AND FOR ACTUATING INWARDLY BYTHE LATTER AT THE ZONES OF ENGAGEMENT THEREBETWEEN DURING CONTRACTION OFTHE UTERINE MUSCLES; AND AN ELONGATED BRIDGE OF FLEXIBLE MATERIALINTERCONNECTING SAID ARMS ABOVE SAID PORTIONS AND YIELDABLY MAINTAININGTHE ARMS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP DURING SAID MUSCULAR CONTRACTION, EACHEND OF SAID BRIDGE PRESENTING A FULCRUM AT THE AREA OF INTERCONNECTIONWITH A RESPECTIVE ARMS, WHEREBY SAID HEADS ARE PRESSED OUTWARDLY INTOENGAGEMENT WITH THE UTERUS IN SAID MOUTHS AND THE PORTIONS AREMAINTAINED AGAINST SAID ZONES AS SAID MUSCULAR CONTRACTIONS CONTINUE TOACT INWARDLY ON SAID PORTIONS, THEREBY IMPEDING EXPULSION OF THE DEVICEFROM WITHIN THE UTERUS, SAID BRIDGE BEING GENERALLY V-SHAPED SAID HAVINGA PAIR OF LEGS AND A VERTEX WHEREBY SAID DEVICE IS COLLAPSIBLE TO PERMITINSERTION THROUGH THE VERVIX.